Clip and cap structure for fountain pens



June 11, 1929.

w. F. BENSON 1,717,001 CLIP AND CAP STRUCTURE FOR FOUNTAIN PENS FiledSept. 16,1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l a q: 3% N Q 3-. j Ji & g v

June 11, 1929. w BENSON 1,717,001

CLIP AND CAP STRUCTURE FOR FOUNTAIN PENS Filed Sept. 16, 1927 2Sheets-Sheet 2 F 5 jg I80. /5

Patented June 11, 1929.

WALTER F. BENSON, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

CLIP AND CAP STRUCTURE FOR FOUNTAIN PENS.

Application filed September 16, 1927. Serial No. 219,935.

This invention relates to improvements in fountaln'pens or analogousdevices and especially to clip structure adapted to retain a fountainpen, tubular pencil, or the like in a pocket, and the cap structure fora fountain pen to which the clip is secured.

My invention has for an object to provide simple but highly efficientclip structure for fountain pens and pencils and the like adapted tosecure a clip to a cap of a fountain pen or other tubular structureagainst both torsional and lateral movement relative thereto, which willbe invisibly attached to the cap or tubular structure and which willpresent a simple and highly ornate appearance.

In the manufacture of high grade fountaih pens it is usually desirableto provide a solid gold clip and in so doing the manufacturer mustminimize the expense thereof.

It is, therefore, a further object of myinvention to provide clipstructure which will be adapted for economical manufacture, which willWithstand heavy wear and continuous usage, and which may be quickly andeasily assembled in connection with fountain cost. Y

Another object is to provide cap structure for fountain pens whichwillform an air tight seal about the nib end' of the pen, and betweenthe feed arid the forward end of the pen section, thereby preventingevaporation and leakage of ink when the pen is closed.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description made in connection with the accompanyingdrawingsin which 'like reference characters refer to similar partsthroughout the different views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same, with the barrel portion of the penproper broken away; v

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line '3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of my fountain pen cap showing the clipproper and anchor- 7 ing plate in position for insertion therein;

Fig. 5, having pens, pencils or the like at little.

'ber 15 having its body Fig. 5 is a view taken mostly in longitudinalsection showing a slightly different form of the invention;

Figs. 6 and 7 are similar views showing two other slightly differentforms of the invent1on;

8-8 of Fig. 7;

. Fig. 9 is a view mostly in longitudinal sectlon of still another formof the invention;

Fig. 10 is a cross section taken on the line 10-1O of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a similar view of a form of the invention closely related tothat shown in different means for attaching the clip proper to theanchoring member;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of thesame with some parts broken away;

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section of a slightlymodified form; and

Fig. 14 is a'longitudinal section of a differ-- ent form of sealingstructure for the pen nib.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, apen having the usual barrel portion 13 is illustrated, having attachedto its forward end the section 14 in which the feed and nib are mounted.Section 14 for the most part is of well known construction, butis-provided immediately adjacent its forward extremity with a groove onthe inner periphery thereof. Said groove is adapted to. receive thesmaller flange 15 of an annular sealing member 15, sealing memortion offlat annular shape adapted to snugly engage the forward end or shoulderof the pen section. From Fig. 1, it will be readily seen that the flange15 secures member 15 to the inner peri hery of section 14 and that theinner cylindrical portion of said sealing member contacts the feed andnib of the pen, while the flat outer surface constitutes a seal adaptedto contact the abuttin end of a tubular or cup-shaped lining mem er orinner cap 16. The cap 17 of my pen is for the most art of commonconstruction having a close outer end and being interiorly threaded atits open end to be securely locked with the 11 section.

Adjacent the closed end 0 cap 17 a circumferentially extending slot 17is provided ex- Fig. 8 is a cross section taken on the line tendinglaterally through the circumferential portion of the cap. My clip proper18 may be made from gold silver, gold plated brass, or any othersuitable material having the requisite-degree of resiliency andpresenting an ornamental appearance. Clip 18 is bowed slightly adjacentits forward or attachment end and terminates at its lower end in a ballportion 18. Adjacent its forward end a palr of down-turned spaced ears18 are provided apertured to receive a pivot pin 19. Clip 18 terminatesat its forward end in a relatively short tongue or abutment shoulder 18adapted to engage the exterior of the closed end of the cap toconstitute a base of resistance.

Lining 16 fits snugly within cap 17 and a washer retaining member 20 isdisposed within cap 17 having its rear surface abutting the closed endof lining 16. Washer 20 may be provided with a tapered aperture and afew threads 20 are provided on the inner periphery of washer 20 at thelower portion thereof, the purpose of which will be later explained.

To securely lock my clip 18 with the cap and washer 20, I provide apreferably flat anchoring plate 21 having relatively narrow straight endportions and a depending tapered base portion 21. width of plate 21across the middle of base portion 21 is slightly less than the length ofthe slot 17 in the cap to permit insertion of said plate therewit-hm.One of the ends of plate 21 is preferably rounded and apertured forpivotal engagement with the spaced ears 18 of my clip, said hingedrelation being effected by means of in 19.

As illustrated in ig. 4, anchoring plate 21 is disposed at right anglesto the longitudinal center line of cap 17 and inserted in thecircumferential slot 17 of the cap. The clip 18 is then twisted tolongitudinal position relatively to the cap, bringing the tapered baseportion 21 into alinement with the tapered recess in washer 20. Lining16 and washer 20 are, of course, spaced a considerable distance from theclosed end of the cap before insertion of the anchoring plate and arethen shoved toward the closed end in abutment with the lower edge ofanchoring plate 21, tapered base 21 nesting in said tapered aperture.Shoulder 18 of my clip then abuts the exteriorof the cap forming a baseof resistance for the spring action of the clip and the connectionbetween the clip and the cap is,

of course, entirely hidden, being Within the cap and the bowed portionof the clip com pletely hiding slot 17.

The liner 16 and washer. 20 are formed of such dimensions that when setin proper position within cap 17 to retain the anchoring The crosssectional drical inner periphery thereof to be expanded to snugly engagethe feed and nib of the pin, and an air tightseal is-thus made betweenthe pen section, the feed and the nib and also between the forwardshoulder of the pen section and the liner 16.

If for any reason it is desired to remove washer 20 from Within the cap17 the liner 16 is first removed by any suitable means, and a rodprovided with an external thread is inserted and screwed into the lowerthreaded portion of washer 20. Whsher 20 may then be easily pulled out.

In many types of clip structures the clip proper is extended and turnedin various ways to extend and be anchored within the cap. This requiresconsiderable material to be utilized in forming the clip and Where thatmaterial is extremely expensive, as in the case of gold, the addition ofthe clip to the fountain pen adds considerable expense. Also in clips ofthe type just described, the clip proper is subjected to a large amountof strain and wear at the point where the same passes through the cap,and such clips usually break after a substantial amount of usage. IVithmy structure the flexing of the clip is not imposed at any one point,but is distributed throughout a large area and obviously a minimumamount of material is used for J the clip proper. The retaining orlocking means for the clip are simple, effective and may be cheaplymanufactured, and f urthcrmore do 'not require extreme accuracy in themanufacture of the several elements thereof to secure the desiredresults.

The form of the invention illustrated .in Fig. 5 is generally similar tothe form previously described, the structure of the cap l7.

clip 18, anchoring plate 21 being identicaltherewith. In this form,however, the washer 20 is omitted and a truncated conical recess 16 isprovided in the inner or closed end of the liner 16. The anchoring. base21 of plate 21 then is nested in the recessed portion 16 in the samemanner as it was nested in the Washer 20 in the form previouslydescribed.

Furthermore, in this form of the invention a relatively small annulargroove 14 of semicircular cross section .is provided on the in-.

ner periphery of the pen section 14, spaced from the forward end thereofand within said groove an annularsealing ring 22 of compressiblematerial is disposed and secured, said ring being inserted before thefeed and nib of the pen are mounted in the pen section. The lower end ofliner 16 is provided with an annular sealing ring 23 of compressiblematerial, said ring being secured to the lining 16 by means of a smallannular bead 23 engaging an externally complementary shaped grooveformed adjacent the lower extremity of the liner. The material of theliner below said groove is reduced and the body ortion of sealing member23 forms a fiat a utting surface at-its lower side adapted to becompressed between the opposing shoulder of the pen section to form anair tight seal when the pen is inserted in the cap. and screwed tightlytherein.

The form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 6 is very similar to theform illustrated in Fig. 5 with regard to the clip and lockingstructure. Clip 18 is pivoted to a flat generally rectangular plate 24,said plate having a projecting rounded portion 24 at one end thereof forpivotal connection with clip 18 and having inclined abutting shoulders24 adapted to engage the interior portion of the cap 17 adjacent thecircumferential slot 17? formed therein. In this form thecircumferential slot is spaced a short distance from the closure of thecap and a tapered seat 17 is formed in said closure interiorly of saidcap, said inclined seat engaging and centering anchoring plate 24 throu11 contact with the inclined shoulders 24*. o laterally projecting ordepending anchoring base is provided in this form of the invention butplate 24 is secured edgewise between said seat in the closed end of thecap and the closed end of the liner 16, said liner being slidably forcedinwardly of the cap.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, an anchoringplate 26 having parallel longitudinal edges is provided carrying aT-hcad 26 at its inner end and having pivotal connection with the spacedlugs of the clip 18 at its opposite end. Head 26 is pro vided withinclined seating surfaces adapted to engage the inclined surface 27 ofan extension 27 on the slidable liner member. Extension 27 also hasa'diametrical groove 27 disposed at right angles to the edges formed byinclined surface 27, in which groove the body portion of anchoring plate26 is adapted to be disposed edgewise. It is, of course, necessary toproperly aline the lining member 16 with the anchoring plate 24 beforesliding said liner inwardly toward the closed end of the cap. Anchoringmember 26 is then clamped between the closed end of the cap 17 and liner16 and is locked against lateral displacement or torsional movement bymeans of its engagement with the groove 27 and inclined surface 27 a ofthe liner projection 27.

In Figs. 9 and 10 a form of the invention is illustrated having a linerprovided with a diametrical slot 28 at the closed extremity thereof anda cylindrical recess 29 axially dis posed thereof and communicatin slot.The anchoring plate 30 in t is form of the invention is comparativelshort with reference to the anchoring mem ers previous- 1 described andcomprises an enlarged cylind i'ical portion adapted to be seated withinsaid cylindrical recessed portion 29 and aprojet-ting attachment tongue30 pivoted to the clip 18. The lower edge of tongue portion 30' isseated in a portion of the slot 28 the with said anchoring ber 33projects outwardly illustrated in Fig. 5, with the exception that theclip 18 is connected with the anchoring plate 21 in a different manner.In this form I a tapered projection or anchoring base 21 is formed ofsimilar shape to that disclosed in Fig. 5, but preferably of less widthand one end of the anchoring member 21 is extended and provided with anenlarged tongue portion 21 of similar width to the width of member 21through the anchoring portion 21*. Clip 18 is provided at its base orattachment portion with an oblong shaped aperture of approximately thedimensions of tongue 21", said tongue passing through said aperture andhaving a headed portion 21 adapted to secure the clip to said anchoringmember. Tongue 21 and anchoring portion 21' being of similar width,plate 21 may be passed through the aperture in clip 18 and into the cap17 and the liner 16 may then be slidably moved toward the end of the capto nest and retain the anchoring member. The headed portion 21 ofanchoring member 21 may be plated to present an ornate appearance.

The form illustrated in Fig. 13 is very similar to the form illustratedin Fig. 6. A flat plate 24 is provided having the inclined shoulders 24at the upper portion thereof but being shorter than the form shown inFig. 6. Tongue 24 at one end of member 24 is pivotally connected to theears of the clip-'18. Instead of drilling a tapered seat 17 c in the cap17 a washer 32 is provided having a tapered inner periphery, whichwasher is disposed in the inner extremity of cap .25-

in position to engage the inclined shoulders 24 of the anchoring member.The usual liner 16 is provided having slidable relation with cap 17 andengaging the lower longitudinal edge of plate 24. 1

In Fig. 14 I disclose a slightly different structure for sealing thejoint between the pen and the cap than the structure previouslydescribed. Here the cap 17 is provided with the usual liner or inner cap16 having the annular abutting shoulder at the open end thereof and thesection 14 of the pen has its annular abutting shoulder at the forwardextremity thereof provided with an axially disposed annular groove inwhich an annular sealing member 33 of compressible material isseated andretained. As illustrated, sealing me1n from said groove and is adaptedto contact the abutment should er of liner 16 forming an airtight jointbetween the pen and the cap.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have inventeda highly efficient and ornamental clip structure for fountain pens orother tubular articles which are adapted tobe carried on the clothing.My structure will stand up under heavy and continuous wear distributingthe strain in the resilient part of the clip over a relatively largesurface and securely anchoring the clip against lateral or torsionalmovement relatively to the cap. The structure may be manufacturedeconomically especially since the amount of expensive material, such asgold utilized for the clip proper is minimized and extends merely on theexterior of the cap. It will also be seen that I have provided highlyefficient means for forming an air tight seal between the shoulder ofthe pen section and the abutment end of the cap and liner, as well asbetween the pen section and the feed and nib of the pen.

While the several forms of the invention illustrated and describedherein differ slightly in details, they all have much in common and workon the'same general principle.

It will, of course,- be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is 1. Clip structure for fountain pens and tubulararticles having in combination a closed cap member having a laterallyextending aperture therethrough, a retaining clip, an anchoring membersecured to said clip and projecting laterally therefrom through saidaperture, said anchoring member having a projecting portion adapted tobe disposed within said cap and a retaining member having slidablerelation with the interior of said 'tubular member and adapted to engagesaid projecting portion and co-operating with said .apertured portion ofsaid cap to lock said clip thereto.

2. Clip structure for fountain pens and tubular articles having incombination a closed cap member provided with a laterally and circumferentially extending aperture therethrough, a retaining clip mountedon the exterior of said cap, an anchoring plate secured to said clip andprojecting laterally therefrom, said anchoring member being of oblongcross section and having a laterally projecting central portion adaptedto be disposed axially of the interior of said cap, said anchoringmember being insertable through said aperture when disposed in oneposition and being securable with said cap when turned through 90'therefrom and a retaining member having slidable relation with theinterior of said tubular member provided with a depression adapted toengage and-center said anchoring member. I

3. Clip structure for fountain pens and tubular articles having incombination a closed cap member provided with a laterally andcircumferentially extending aperture adjacent the closed end thereof, aretaining clip mounted on the exterior of said cap, an anchoring memberof uniform thickness throughout secured to said clip and projectinglaterally therefrom, said anchoring memher having a relatively wideportion spaced some distanc from the connection With said clip and beingadapted to be inserted through said aperture when said Wide portion istransversely disposed to said cap and adapted to be interlocked withsaid cap when turned through 90 therefrom and a cylindrical retaining.member having slidable relation with the interior of said cap providedwith a seat at one end thereof adapted to engage said enlarged portionof said anchoring member to rigidly retain the same within said cap.

4. In clip structure for tubular articles,

such as fountain pens, atubular member hav-- ing an aperture in itsside, a retaining clip disposed longitudinally without said tubularmember, an anchoring member secured at its outer end to said clip andprojecting laterally into said tubular member, said anchoring memberhaving a laterally projecting locking portion disposed within saidtubular member, a retaining member within said tubular memberinterlocked with said laterally projecting portion to preventlongitudinal displacement and torsional movement of said anchoringmember.

5. In clip structure for tubular articles,

such as fountain pens, a tubular member hav-' ing an aperture in itsside, a retaining clip extending longitudinally on the exterior of saidtubular member, an anchoring member connected with said clip andprojecting laterally into said tubular member, said anchoring memberhaving a laterally projecting locking portion disposed withinsaid'tubular member and a retaining member Within said tubular membersurrounding said projecting lateral portion to prevent longitudinaldisplacement and torsional movement of said anchoring member.

6. In clip structure for tubular articles, such as fountain pens, atubular member having a closed end and an aperture in its side adjacentsaid closed end, a retaining clip disposed longitudinally on theexterior of said tubular member, an anchoring member connected to .saidclip and extending laterally into said tubular member with one of itssurfaces disposed against said closed end, said anchoring member havinga laterally projecting locking portion disposed axially of said tubularmember, and a retaining member capable of longitudinal movement withinsaid at an angle from said position, and a retaining member Within saidtubular member havv mg a recessed portion adapted to surround 1 0 saidprojecting locking portion.

In testimony whereof I 'aflix my signature.

WALTER F. BENSON.

